Lagmore Community Forum Trustee Report
Introduction
The Lagmore Community Forum (LCF) is proud to present its annual trustee report for the year ending 2024. As a grassroots organisation, we have dedicated our efforts to addressing the concerns of our local residents, liaising with statutory agencies, engaging and keeping residents informed, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Our work is entirely voluntary, driven by a commitment to improving our community.
Objectives and Activities
Our primary objectives are to:
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Address residents' concerns and provide a platform for their voices to be heard.
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Liaise with statutory agencies to ensure that the needs and issues of our community are addressed.
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Engage with residents through regular communication and events to keep them informed about local developments.
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Collaborate with other stakeholders to foster a cohesive and supportive community environment.
Memberships and Partnerships
LCF is an active member of several key organizations, which enhances our ability to serve the community effectively. These memberships include:
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Colin Neighbourhood Partnership (CNP)
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Housing Community Network
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Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
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Youth Action Northern Ireland (YANI)
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Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group (BMRG)
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Radius Tenants Panel
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UK Wide Lived Experience Panel
Additionally, we host the Colin Environmental Subgroup, which is part of the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership.
Community Events and Activities
LCF offers a wide range of activities at our centre to meet the needs of all age groups and special needs requirements. Some of our key initiatives include:
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Partnership with Christ the Redeemer Primary School : We work closely with the school to provide additional support to children and parents. Recently, we facilitated a workshop by SENAC to help parents navigate the special needs educational system. We also collaborate with the school to accommodate special events such as Communions.
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LCF Evergreens Women's Empowerment Group : This group has been highly successful in improving health and wellbeing outcomes for participants. The membership is growing weekly, with 20 members at present.
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West Belfast Versus Arthritis Pain Management Group : This group meets regularly at our centre, and we continue to support their efforts in managing pain and improving quality of life.
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Crescendo Community Choir : The choir practices weekly at our centre, attracting a wide range of age groups and abilities. This inclusive activity fosters community spirit and provides a creative outlet for participants.
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Seasonal Activities : Throughout the year, LCF has provided free seasonal activities such as Halloween, Christmas, and Easter events to help families during cost-of-living pressures.
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Housing Clinic with Radius Housing : We have offered housing clinics to address tenant issues, provided benefits and fuel poverty advice, and signposted clients to our community partners where relevant.
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: LCF fundraised for the upkeep and maintenance of the only
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24-hour community defibrillator in Lagmore.
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Transport Services : We have lobbied and liaised with Translink to improve transport services to our area.
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Educational Classes : We have continued to build the capacity of our community through the provision of educational classes, such as the very successful GCSE Maths and English support classes, in partnership with the West Belfast Partnership Board to improve outcomes for young people.
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Support for Holistic Mums : LCF has supported the newly constituted charity Holistic Mums to build capacity and offer services to aid mothers in the Colin area suffering from perinatal ill health. The group uses the facilities in the centre on a weekly basis.
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and empowers them with the skills to embrace their creativity.
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NIHE Panels Participation : LCF actively participates in NIHE panels such as the Housing Community Network and advocates for local NIHE tenants through this membership. Our most recent nutrition project was highlighted at the NIHE community conference as a successful cohesion project.
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Community Survey : In February 2025, we completed a community survey titled 'Making Life Better in Lagmore/Mount Eagles'. We are currently analysing the responses and will provide an update as soon as possible. This analysis will drive the strategic approach of LCF to improve the life of residents in Lagmore and Mount Eagles.
Achievements and Performance
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Successfully addressed numerous resident concerns through direct engagement and advocacy.
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Strengthened our relationships with statutory agencies, resulting in more effective responses to community issues.
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Organized and participated in several community events, ensuring residents are wellinformed and engaged.
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Worked closely with other stakeholders to implement community improvement projects.
Financial Review
As a voluntary organization, LCF relies on the dedication and generosity of our volunteers and supporters. Our financial resources are managed prudently to ensure maximum impact. Detailed financial statements are provided in the attached appendix.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, LCF aims to:
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Continue addressing resident concerns with increased efficiency.
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Expand our engagement activities to reach more residents.
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Strengthen our partnerships with statutory agencies and other stakeholders.
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Explore new opportunities for community development and improvement.
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Analyse the responses from the latest community survey and formulate a community action plan to address all needs identified in the analysis of the survey.
Conclusion
The trustees of Lagmore Community Forum are immensely proud of the progress made over the past year. We remain committed to our mission of serving the community and look forward to continuing our work in the coming year.
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers, members, and partners for their unwavering support and dedication. Together, we are making a positive difference in our community.